The Hard Tackle brings you a roundup of some of the key stories of the day regarding European Champions Real Madrid CF.
Ramos Targeting The Treble
In a report by Goal.com, the Los Blancos captain outlined his side’s title aspirations for the season, saying that they want to win the the 3 major trophies available, i.e the Copa Del Rey, the UEFA Champions League and the La Liga title.
Their arch rivals Barcelona are the only Spanish club to achieve that feat in recent times, having done it in the 2008-09 season under the management of Pep Guardiola and then 6 years later in the 2014-15 season under current gaffer Luis Enrique.
Real Madrid are on the right track so far. They have a 3 point lead on Barcelona with a game in hand in the La Liga, and have also qualified for the Round of 16 of the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey.
He said, “As always we aspire to win the three competitions; the league, Champions League and the Copa del Rey, along with other titles that may come our way. From that base we will try to play good football and give everything for the badge.”
Real Halt Aubameyang Pursuit
According to a report in OK Diaro, Real Madrid believe that the Gabon international has no place in their current squad. Los Blancos have constantly been linked with the striker in the past and he has also never hidden his desire to don the white of Real Madrid someday.
He had promised his grandfather that he would play for Real Madrid and the 27-year-old has repeatedly reiterated his desire to fulfill that promise. Real Madrid have also been rumoured to be interested in him and were reported to have a first refusal agreement for him with Dortmund.
He has also been linked with a Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United, but it is unlikely that he will be allowed to leave the Westfalenstadion, unless it is for Real Madrid and a hefty fee, as he is valued at around €80 million.
With Benzema and Morata already present in the squad and Cristiano Ronaldo’s style of play evolving well, there doesn’t seem to be any place for the former AC Milan striker in the squad and spending a huge sum on him at this point would be deemed unnecessary.
Robben: ‘I never wanted to leave’
In the summer of 2009, Robben moved to Bayern Munich in a deal reported to be worth around €25 million. According to a report in Goal.com, the former Chelsea midfielder told Fox Sports about how he was hesitant to leave Real Madrid.
“It was a bit of a weird summer with the return of Florentino Perez as president. And then all the new signings arrived,” he said. “Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso all came to Madrid for a huge amount of money.”
“We were told that the club would be able to make some money on me if they sold me. But I initially did not want to leave. I had possibly my best pre-season ever, but I still did not get a chance, so I had to make a decision. There was contact with Bayern, but it was a difficult decision, the most difficult one of my career. Bayern were not among the European elite at that moment – like we are now – and it was a step back for me.”
He cited that he chose to move to Bayern, seeing the effort they put into signing him. The presence of Louis Van Gaal also played a big factor in the decision. Currently in his 8th season with the club and 15 trophies later, Robben insists that now he is now Bayern through and through.
